Page 34
30 state-provided cash benefits from automated teller machines (ATMs) in gambling establishments. Subsequent to the signing of EO S-09-10, California implemented policies and procedures to prevent access to cash assistance benefits via ATMs located in fourteen different business categories as per the statute. These categories include casinos, liquor stores, retail establishments which provide adult-oriented entertainment, bail bonds, bingo halls, cruise ships, smoke shops, cannabis shops, ammunition stores, night clubs/saloons/taverns, psychic reader, racetracks, spa/massage salons and tattoo/piercing shops. Additionally, the state has worked with third party processors (TPPs) and the California Department of Justice (Bureau of Gambling Control) to ensure that deactivations occurred at casinos located on Indian reservations. The state has worked with FNS to permit access in FNS-authorized establishments because SNAP and TANF benefits are issued on the same EBT card. In addition to the deactivation processes, the state implemented other efforts to inform EBT cardholders about restricted locations and the intended purpose of their cash assistance benefits. A letter was mailed to all EBT cardholders (in ten languages) in January 2011, informing cardholders of the types of establishments where ATM and point-of-sale (POS) deactivation would occur. The EBT Client website was also revised to include a message about restricted locations. The CalWORKs Rights and Responsibilities (SAWS 2A SAR) form was revised to require recipients to sign an acknowledgement that CalWORKs benefits are intended to help meet the basic needs of the family, i.e., shelter, food, and clothing. California implemented a new POS and ATM deactivation procedure that resulted in over 17,000 POS devices and ATMs being deactivated from processing EBT transactions at inappropriate locations from January 2014 to present. California reviews its counties’ cash access plans to ensure that the areas affected by the EO mandate continue to have adequate access points for cash assistance recipients. Moreover, California on a regular basis continues to monitor establishments and remove access to those businesses that meet the criteria for removal. The state ensures that recipients of assistance have access to their benefits with minimal fees or charges. Here are some ways that recipients are provided information about surcharge free access to their cash benefits: o Recipients can access surcharge free information on the EBT client website at www.ebt.ca.gov.